Yoshiya
Yoshiya is a Japanese independent supermarket chain operating mainly in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward, known for its fresh food and community-focused retail.
Last updated September 29, 2026
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Overview
Yoshiya Co., Ltd. (株式会社よしや) is a Japanese supermarket chain headquartered in Nakaitabashi, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. Founded in October 1945 by Chozo Koizumi as a food store under the trade name "Yoshiya," it was incorporated in 1948 as Yoshiya Food Co., Ltd. and later renamed Yoshiya Co., Ltd. in 1958. The company operates a chain of food supermarkets primarily in the Itabashi Ward of Tokyo, with additional stores in Shinjuku, Nerima, and Toshima wards. It is an independent chain and a member of the All Japan Supermarket Association (AJS), and it carries the association's private brand "Kurashi Ryōkō." As of 2020, the company reported annual sales of 15.4 billion yen and employed 648 people (including 405 part-time workers). Its core business is the sale of fresh foods (meat, fish, produce, delicatessen), general food products, confectionery, wines and spirits, and household goods. The company emphasizes a management philosophy centered on sincerity ("makoto"), customer health, and community contribution. In recent years, Yoshiya has focused on community-oriented services such as mobile supermarkets (Tokushimaru) and point card programs. In 2025, it announced a logo change and the removal of the "SainE" prefix from store names to mark its 80th anniversary.
History
Yoshiya was founded in October 1945 by Chozo Koizumi, who opened a food store under the trade name "Yoshiya" in Nakaitabashi, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. In 1948, the business was incorporated as Yoshiya Food Co., Ltd. In 1958, it changed its name to Yoshiya Co., Ltd. following the establishment of a non-food department. In 1959, it joined the Japan Self-Service Association and opened a household goods department. In 1962, it added a pharmaceuticals and cosmetics department. In 1963, the Nakaitabashi Main Store building was completed, and the company introduced a full self-service system, directly operating all fresh food departments. It also joined the joint purchasing organization "Chuokai" (later reorganized into MMM Association). In 1967, Chuokai was reorganized into MMM Association, starting joint purchasing and study sessions among 15 companies. In 1970, MMM Association was incorporated as MMM Supermarket Chain Co., Ltd. In 1971, the head office building was completed and the Nakaitabashi Main Store was expanded. In 1973, Yoshiya joined the All Japan Supermarket Association. In 1974, a homemade delicatessen center was opened on the second floor of the Oyakuchiguchi Store. In 1977, it opened Yanagimachi and Kagurazaka stores, entering Shinjuku Ward, and opened Hayamiya Store, entering Nerima Ward. In 1978, it opened Otsuka Store, entering Toshima Ward. In 1981, it opened the Petit Super Itabashi-Honcho Store, starting a small supermarket format. In 1983, it established Estate Yoshiya Co., Ltd. as a subsidiary. In 1985, the Funado Fresh Center was completed and began operations, relocating the delicatessen center from the Oyakuchiguchi Store. In 1987, it opened Higashi-Nakano and Matsubara stores (both now closed) and introduced POS registers in all stores. In 1989, it opened a trade department, established "Yoshiya Travel" as a travel agency, and began issuing prepaid cards. In 1990, it closed the Petit Super Itabashi-Honcho Store and withdrew from the small supermarket format. In 1992, it opened a liquor specialty store "Liquor Market" in Nerima Ward (opposite Hayamiya Store). In 1994, it converted Oyakuchiguchi and Hayamiya stores to "Power Shop" format and closed Matsubara Store. In 1995, it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a ceremony and began handling overseas travel products at Estate Yoshiya. In 1996, Estate Yoshiya began handling mobile phones, postage stamps, postcards, and revenue stamps. In 1997, it started in-store delicatessen in all stores, introduced cable broadcasting for in-store announcements, and Estate Yoshiya began handling life insurance. In 1998, it launched the "Yoshiya Information Magazine," opened Mejiro-Takada Store, and closed Higashi-Nakano Store, withdrawing from Nakano Ward. In 2000, it launched its official website. In 2001, it started the online supermarket "Waku Waku Shopping Club," installed sushi corners in stores and launched "Osakana-ya no Nigiri Sushi," and its "FSP: Individual Offer System" won the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman's Award at the 11th Distribution System Awards sponsored by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun. It also closed "Liquor Market" due to renovation of Hayamiya Store. In 2002, it added "SainE" (meaning "health" in French) to store names, rebranding stores to "SainE Yoshiya XX Store" starting with Kagurazaka and Yanagimachi stores. It also renewed store logos, launched the "Yoshiya Ecology Bag," and renewed its official website. The liquor section of Nakaitabashi Store was renovated as "Liquor Shop Baroque." In 2003, it introduced "Wine Navi" at Otsuka Store and began publishing flyers on its official website. In 2004, it renewed the "Yoshiya Information Magazine" as the monthly magazine "On the Table." In 2005, it established Green Work Co., Ltd. as a subsidiary for human resource management of quasi-employees and part-timers, and opened Kan-nana Itabashi-Honcho Store (now closed). In 2006, it closed the online supermarket "Waku Waku Shopping Club" and closed Kan-nana Itabashi-Honcho Store. In 2007, all Yoshiya stores and the Funado Fresh Center acquired ISO 9001 certification for quality management systems. In 2009, it began volume reduction processing of styrofoam containers as an environmental protection effort, and the Yoshiya Tatsumi Center (Koto Ward, Tokyo) began operations. In 2013, it opened SainE Yoshiya Bancho-Kojimachi Store, entering Chiyoda Ward (now closed). In 2014, the first mobile supermarket "Tokushimaru" vehicle began operating in the Nakaitabashi area. In 2016, the second Tokushimaru vehicle started in the Otsuka area and the third in the Hikarigaoka area. In 2018, the fourth Tokushimaru vehicle began operating in the Itabashi, Toshima, and Nerima areas. In 2021, it closed SainE Yoshiya Bancho-Kojimachi Store, withdrawing from Chiyoda Ward, and discontinued the travel agency "Yoshiya Travel." On October 27, 2022, subsidiary Estate Yoshiya was dissolved and liquidated. On September 27, 2025, to commemorate its 80th anniversary, it announced a new logo and the removal of "SainE" from store names, returning to "Yoshiya XX Store."
Founded by Chozo Koizumi as a food store under the trade name "Yoshiya" in Nakaitabashi, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo.
Incorporated as Yoshiya Food Co., Ltd.
Renamed to Yoshiya Co., Ltd. following establishment of non-food department.
Joined Japan Self-Service Association; opened household goods department.
Opened pharmaceuticals and cosmetics department.
Nakaitabashi Main Store building completed; introduced full self-service system; joined joint purchasing organization "Chuokai".
Chuokai reorganized into MMM Association; began joint purchasing and study sessions among 15 companies.
MMM Association incorporated as MMM Supermarket Chain Co., Ltd.
Head office building completed; Nakaitabashi Main Store expanded.
Joined All Japan Supermarket Association.
Products and positioning
Community-based independent supermarket chain offering safe, reliable food and convenient services.
Fresh foods (meat, fish, produce, delicatessen)
General food products
Confectionery
Wines and spirits
Household goods
Private brand "Kurashi Ryōkō"
Sources5 sources
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